[SOLVED] Advice on a new build - can I keep anything from my old system?

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
After being forced into W10 after years of happiness with W7, it's clear that some of my components are very, very dated... particularly the motherboard (specs below). I could use some advice on setting up a new build while maintaining as many of my old components as possible.

I originally built the system as a digital art creation system. I don't really use it for gaming any longer, though some older generation games are fine (re: I'm in my 40s with a family, not a bleeding age gamer). I do a lot of work from home (GSuite, Office, Camtasia, Adobe Suite, etc.) and I often work with many, many apps open simultaneously.

I have also worked hard to keep component heat, noise, and power consumption to a minimum (and for the most part, this has gotten me through 9-10 years of very good performance) and while that will limit some of the flashier options, I definitely prefer longevity in the build over squeaking out a few more MHz of raw power. As an example, my first graphics card on this system was fanless.

Current Build:
  • Essential Software: Windows 10 Pro - Through work... I need it. Same with Office 2019 Pro Plus.
  • Power Supply: 750W Seasonic SS-750KM3 750W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 Plus Gold Certified Full
  • Motherboard: Asus Rampage III Gene LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6GB/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield Quad-Core 2.8 GHz LGA 1366
  • RAM: 2 sets of 4Gx3 GSkill F310666CL9T-12GBRL Ripjaws Series, 240-pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 PC3 10666
  • Video: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 02G-P4-2958-KR 2GB FTW Gaming
  • OS Drive; 128GB SSD Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB SATA III (it claims to be SATA 6 but backwards compatible) MLC CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 - 2.5"
  • Apps Drive: 240GB SSD PNY CS1311 SATA III TLC SSD7C1311-240-RB - 2.5"
  • Storage Drive: WD Green WD15EARS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0GB/s - 3.5"
So I know the MB is a problem as ASUS hasn't provided a BIOS update for it since 2011 (nothing past Windows 7).

The LGA 1366 socket is also looking like a problem as it limits the MB options available to me.

Any input, (helpful) suggestions, are appreciated.
 
Solution
I wouldn't reuse your old drives if you don't have a specific budget. Since you use Adobe, I would get more cores and more RAM. Something like this
PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor | $149.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler | be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 35.14 CFM CPU Cooler | $33.29 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Asus ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING ATX AM4 Motherboard | $119.99 @ Amazon
Memory | G.Skill Aegis 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $120.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel 660p 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $131.19 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
|...

kanewolf

Titan
Moderator
The software will depend on how that software is licensed. You may have to take your new PC into work or ask the IT department for license keys.
The power supply should be OK. The video card should be OK for a work build. I wouldn't keep anything else.
 

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
The software will depend on how that software is licensed. You may have to take your new PC into work or ask the IT department for license keys.
The power supply should be OK. The video card should be OK for a work build. I wouldn't keep anything else.
Thanks. I have the software already. I'm running it all now and that's how I've learned I've probably got hardware problems.

If I elected to keep the three drives as well (maybe I shouldn't, but I'd like to), that would leave me with needing a good combination of MB/RAM/CPU. Suggestions?
 

Zoel.fahmi

Upstanding
Dec 27, 2019
251
28
240
Thanks. I have the software already. I'm running it all now and that's how I've learned I've probably got hardware problems.

If I elected to keep the three drives as well (maybe I shouldn't, but I'd like to), that would leave me with needing a good combination of MB/RAM/CPU. Suggestions?
Depends on the budget
Ryzen 5 2600
Motherboard B450
2x8 ddr4 3000mhz
Also cooler master mwe V2
 

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
Depends on the budget
Ryzen 5 2600
Motherboard B450
2x8 ddr4 3000mhz
Also cooler master mwe V2
Thanks. The budget is not too big of a deal, but it's probably more important that I can get the parts quickly. I'm lagging with working from home while the system is being quirky.

Are you suggesting that I replace the power supply as well (with the cooler master)? If not, the build would be:

existing seasonic power supply
existing 3 hard drives (I was a bit confused by your SSD/HHD comment above)
new Ryzen 5 2600
new MB B450
new DDR4 RAM

Sound right?
 

Zoel.fahmi

Upstanding
Dec 27, 2019
251
28
240
Thanks. The budget is not too big of a deal, but it's probably more important that I can get the parts quickly. I'm lagging with working from home while the system is being quirky.

Are you suggesting that I replace the power supply as well (with the cooler master)? If not, the build would be:

existing seasonic power supply
existing 3 hard drives (I was a bit confused by your SSD/HHD comment above)
new Ryzen 5 2600
new MB B450
new DDR4 RAM

Sound right?
How old those PSU?
If more than 5 years better replace it
Better safe than sorry

Hope that's help
 

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
How old those PSU?
If more than 5 years better replace it
Better safe than sorry

Hope that's help
It helps... and it's old.

Could you clarify the hard drives though? kanewolf had suggested replacing them, but do I need to replace them for compatibility with the new components you suggested?
 

Zoel.fahmi

Upstanding
Dec 27, 2019
251
28
240
It helps... and it's old.

Could you clarify the hard drives though? kanewolf had suggested replacing them, but do I need to replace them for compatibility with the new components you suggested?
I meant my answer help your problem :D

No need to to be honest but if you wanna squeeze better performance then buy new SSD like Samsung that's have better performance and stability
 

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
What do you DO with this PC? What is your budget?
" I do a lot of work from home (GSuite, Office, Camtasia, Adobe Suite, etc.) and I often work with many, many apps open simultaneously. "

Budget isn't a huge deal, but under $500 would be ideal. I didn't really budget for these issues (sort of a surprise over hte last few days). That's why I'm trying to hang on to some components.
 

kanewolf

Titan
Moderator
I wouldn't reuse your old drives if you don't have a specific budget. Since you use Adobe, I would get more cores and more RAM. Something like this
PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor | $149.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler | be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 35.14 CFM CPU Cooler | $33.29 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Asus ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING ATX AM4 Motherboard | $119.99 @ Amazon
Memory | G.Skill Aegis 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $120.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel 660p 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $131.19 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $555.45
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-18 11:42 EST-0500 |

This gets you a 1TB fast SSD for your primary storage. If you want to reuse your existing SSDs for extra storage go ahead after you have the single drive built.
I didn't try for the lowest price. Just an EXAMPLE build.
 
Solution

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
I wouldn't reuse your old drives if you don't have a specific budget. Since you use Adobe, I would get more cores and more RAM. Something like this
PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor | $149.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler | be quiet! Pure Rock Slim 35.14 CFM CPU Cooler | $33.29 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Asus ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING ATX AM4 Motherboard | $119.99 @ Amazon
Memory | G.Skill Aegis 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $120.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel 660p 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $131.19 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $555.45
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-18 11:42 EST-0500 |

This gets you a 1TB fast SSD for your primary storage. If you want to reuse your existing SSDs for extra storage go ahead after you have the single drive built.
I didn't try for the lowest price. Just an EXAMPLE build.
Thanks. Not a terrible budget.

And I'm correct in remembering that the SATA 6 slots will run the SATA 3 drives (backwards compatible)?
 

pedrov

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2010
47
0
18,530
As a follow up for others looking at this, G.Skill site shows no options for 2x16 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM for this board (which I like for future upgrading). I'm looking at Corsair instead, specifically the Vengeance LPX options.